7 Days of Indoor Toys: Xeko, the Eco Trading-Card Game

Aaron Burgess — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 15:03:00 GMT

Even though it plays a lot like Pokemon and Magic: The Gathering, Xeko trumps other trading-card games by having a social conscience beneath its surface. That's not to say kids will be turned off by Xeko's attempts at turning its players into activists. One look at the packaging -- a (sustainably farmed!) wood shipping crate with a "secret mission" inside -- and they'll be too jazzed about breaking into Xeko to question its makers' m.o.

And that's where Xeko is really clever: It uses a style of gaming with which kids are already familiar to school them on serious environmental issues. The objective, in ultra-simplified terms, is to build the strongest "Xeko-system" in one of several real-world ecological hotspots. You face off against opponents in the standard draw-and-battle style of Pokemon (demo here) and win by amassing the most "Eco-points" in your environment. The beautifully illustrated cards also teach you about the rare and endangered species you're saving.

Priced at $30, with 4% of proceeds going to Conservation International, Xeko starter sets include 40 booster cards, a rulebook, larger learn-to-play cards, and an oversized play mat/map. Kids can also send back the cards' wrappers for recycling and in exchange earn "green points" redeemable for landfill-sparing junk like screensavers and wallpapers. And, not only is Xeko's packaging made from recycled/recyclable materials, but if you order online from the company, you're likely to receive your game packed in a box that's been reused from a previous order.

Midair Ping-Pong Death Match: Verticon Air Battle Arena

Aaron Burgess — Fri, 26 Oct 2007 14:32:00 GMT

You got your Pokémon in my Magic: The Gathering -- and, hey, who invited the Busy Ball Popper? Aimed at ages 7 and up, Wild Planet's Verticon Air Battle Arena ($24.99) combines the combative fun of trading-card games with the arena-style gladiator action of Robot Wars, and sends it one more level over the top by having the battle take place in midair. Just activate the airstream and use the snap-on weapons to arm your ping-pong-ball-style warrior (from "Soroms" to "Brattezans," over 25 floating fighters in all are sold separately): Two orbs enter, one orb leaves.

Besides the warrior packs, Wild Planet makes a few add-ons that aren't necessary but definitely enhance play if you've got money to burn: The $19.95 Sound Battle Attachment locks onto the Arena and adds motion-activated sounds and three electronic games, while the $14.99 Team Combat Attachment includes two additional warriors, weapons and a strategy map, as well as the ability to kill your opponent's airstream in mid-combat. Play nice, kids.

Verticon Air Battle Arena and accessories are available at Amazon.com (use links above) and offline retailers everywhere, as well as through Wild Planet's online store.

droolicious : magic the gathering

7 Days of Indoor Toys: Xeko, the Eco Trading-Card Game

Midair Ping-Pong Death Match: Verticon Air Battle Arena